Muse "futurism"

Sorry for the late update but I haven't found anything that's caught my attention till now. I finally gave a listen to the 2010 release of the Muse's Futurism album. This album doesn't pick a direction it just goes where ever the hell it likes this is what they do. When they rock the lead has the soft cooing vocals like the lead from OURS, then they throw in a little piano piece, a track with Mike Skinner of Streets fame, some indie electronica,all but the kitchen sink its an album that I would love to see these guys perform live. I dunno how their process goes but its sure sounds as fun as it does vary. The lyrics are haunting, the production is a beautiful mess pick this up now.

Young X and Devvon Terrell "download or die" mixtape

Despite the the  mass amount of releases that happened at the end of august I've yet to find something that catches my attention on the indie band scene side of things there are maybe 2 potentials but haven't gotten to them. On a positive note I found this fairly good mixtape. Now I have mixed feelings about it as it has some bad points but the good points do shine through.Let me 1st start off with the fact that this group has potential my only gist is that they're half strong. On the plus side the R&B tracks are clean and sharp with good productions and crisp delivery with the back drop thumping some good productions. Its only wen the street tracks play that there is alot to be desired. The production seems sloppy and the bars need a lot of cleaning. If it weren't that most of the 37 tracks are R&B I wouldn't  give these guys a chance. All in all if you just delete the hood tracks you'll have an enjoyable album along the lines of Trez Sonz,Ne-yo,and Usher

http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=med5738f

Jonny Esco " Hood dreams mixtape"

Looks like the mixtapes are pouring quality this week. Jonny Esco isn't something out of this world mostly he plays it safe and keeps the standard but I'm not saying this as a bad thing. The mixtape title encompasses the whole feel of the album. Its a street album with tight hooks and the type of spitting  that will hype you up to focus on moving forward and reach for what's yours words like energetic and inspirational describe the vibe you get here. Its a tight album and a definite recommended listen if you feel like the world is against you as your observing the hood.If you listened to Atmosphere ever in your life and like him you can dig this album
http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=m45f69b4

B-Brixx "neighborhood hero presents" mixtape

Still sorting though some mixtapes and indiebands, the end of August came with a lot of releases. Any way this is a 2009 mixtape but Datpiff put it on the spotlight again. With good reason, the album is lyrically hard the bars these guys drop are sharp and precise an exercise in quality spitting. The productions are clean and good trunk thumpers as well as some club backdrops. The autotune isn't abused and compliments as opposed to taking over. You got a good creative street mixtape here.

http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=m89d93a6

Two door cinema club " tourist history"

Man these Northern Islanders know how to rock! The layout is electro indie dance goodness, the lyrics are sweet and catchy as hell. I enjoy the vocals none of the Irish slur like "we were promised rocket packs" but good none the less. My only gist is this album is all too short as it  is sweet. With only 10 tracks spanning 33 minutes you feel its all over all too soon like when a party is getting good and the popo shuts it down=P. I have big hopes for these guys

Interpol "Mirrors"

The new album is  summed up in one word "wow". They're a band that took me awhile to get into, with the leads monotone delivery and their sound being somewhat shaky. The 1st 2 albums I got really into the 3rd was forgettable they felt like they stalled on their style. I'm sure a lot of of fans agreed. I guess they heard us cause this new album has more energy then any of the others and  strengths were there used to be weakness. I have renewed hope for these guys and I hope we continue to get more goodies like this. With Hypernova and the burning hotels finding a new home on my itouch this album is the welcoming committee

Born Ruffians "Say it "

Born Ruffians have been one of my guilty pleasures for sometime. They have their own sound something like on the verge of country pop crossed with dance rock. This new album is more Ruffian goodness, I have to say their sound has matured in this Album with the lead howling less and the sound more honed in to a clean while still having some of that playfulness that I enjoyed from the 1st album. 

Mr.Focus "Laser Vision" Mixtape

Today I listened to this Mixtape and was rocking it all day. The lyrics are boss and the the productions work the trunk tight. Its all original stuff and all good to the ear. Its not street heavy so you feel more like bobbing you head as opposed to capping a bitch. Take a listen

http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=m8709912

Kanye West "G.O.O.D. ass mixtape" mixtape

Kanye West comes off this week pushing a mixtape that got the works. Kanye is no stranger to productions and setting up original backdrops and hooks so its no surprise that you get good on what thumps in the back. The Spitting is on point as always with guest rappers stepping in for a few bars.The album isn't a focused beam with clean tracks that cut to the bone.What we get is a machine gun spray of awesomeness, You got club tracks ,trunk thumpers, and gutter mean muggin shit. If you don't got the ears to take in Variety then step off  but I recommend you sloth through the tracks that don't vibe with you cause the ones that do are worth it.
http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=mef3afa5

B.A.R.S Murre "Thats Why They Dont Like Me" mix tape

Ok this is B.A.R.S  mixtape I took a listen and have to say that he's got skills, his spitting style is gutta and you feel it thoughout the tape but its done right no club tracks this is all street hussling but done right. Take it

http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=m528cf7f 

Hypernova " through the chaos"

This is the second album released by these guys and I must say its phenomenal. 1st off the lyrics are catchy,memorable, and meaningful  ranging on topics like love and peace but without the hippie pretentiousness. The delivery is done in a close to monotone like style as if Interpol played on happy pills and went for energetic dance rock. Its an awesome album all around one I highly recommend.

Harlem Shakes "technicolor"

I've head these guys on my Itouch for quite sometime. The sound is good and varied but what really caught my attention was the lyrics and the vocals. The lyrics get you going on a good step and the vocals remind me of a favorite band The Born Ruffians  in terms of delivery. Speaking of Born Ruffians they came out with an album this year so I'm looking forward to that along with Interpol and Cut Copy.

H2-O "Reset" mixtape

I guess Karma stepped in and gave me a breather. Last post I did a relatively short awkward review on "Black Hitler" a wholly awful experience. H2-O is refreshing and done well. I enjoyed most of the tracks and its a nice delivery. My only gist is the whole "dissing other artist to claim I'm the best" motif in some tracks personally I don't feel its creative since many artist do it and few do it well. Anyway here's the link and enjoy



http://www.datpiff.com/H2-O__Reset.m127342.html

Kaiser "Black Hitler"mixtape

I tried to listen to this album and I have to say the artist has limited skills and his production is poor.I couldn't digest it properly due to the image and the message its poor in taste. I don't know what the artist is trying to convey through his music I just see this hateful image and its just in bad taste and if he's not being a hateful individual he should go back and change his output and polish his skill.

http://www.datpiff.com/Coast_2_Coast_Mixtape_Promotion_Kaiser__Black_Hitl.m133324.html

Dj Don Canon "lights camera action"mixtape

DJ Don Canon this guy knows how to arrange tracks and his bars aren't bad either. He only got Luda in one track who spits maybe 7 bars and leaves which is refreshing cause it focuses more on Canon's skill as opposed to his muscle.While I like the album there aren't any real tracks to shake too most of them are more for cruising or stomping hard.

http://www.datpiff.com/Dj_Don_Cannon_GC___Lights_Camera_Action_The_Mixta.m117050.html

Chalie boy " the grind pays off" mixtape

Chalie Boy "the grind pays off" the spitting is pretty good and the tracks flow alright if it all sounds familar is cause it does his sampling and assembling is just what's working now so your gonna hear overlays that you've heard before,Its not bad just not different. The lyrics and featured artist gel right you can headbop with this one just don't expect anything revolutionary but what done is good.
http://www.datpiff.com/Scream_Luis_Chalie_Boy__The_Grind_Pays_Off_hoste.m123479.html

The Morning benders " big echo"

I just got through listening to the Morning Benders " Big Echo" and it was bliss in the indie sense. The arrangements are varied and creative making you smile and nod to each track, the lyrics take you on a trip that's soft and pleasant, and the vocals guide you through a dream like state. Its got this Beatles with a surfer vibe. The video for the 1st track "excuses" shows what Chris ChU is capable of in terms of bringing beauty to sound and simplicity. I'm honestly floored

The burning Hotels

A band I recommend to keep an eye on.They got dance rock like vibe to their arrangements when they rock out and have the energy that I feel Franz Fernindad lost. The lead can crone well too when they take the tempo down. Leaving you in a dance hall bliss.

We were promised jet packs

a band called "we were promised jetpacks" is freaken long even if original the album is "These four walls" I did the mistake of reading a review b4 download so I'm just
gonna have to summarize what the other site said about them. Basically
their good. They hit their marks, the lyrics are emoish but delivered rather nicely, the instrumentals are we done and upbeat,and cool accents these guys will tide you over but aren't all that memorable.

Local Natives "Local Natives"

These guys hit the mark as far as indie bands are concerned. They got a soothing sound, dreamlike vocals, and sharp lyrics layed with this tribal theme. My only gist is that I get this "been there done that" vibe from them it feels good but I just didn't get excited. All around I guess I'm saying is that they're good in the indie band convention sort of way but not so much so they aren't replacable.

Na Palm "Dirty girl like dirty beats" mixtape

He's got this electro funk going their sound got a club vibe to it and some decent tracks, they get the party going and you head bobbing. He doesn't revolutionize the genre but what he does he does right. Get your copy here
http://www.datpiff.com/Na_Palm__Dirty_Girls_Like_Dirty_Beats.m141212.html

Lyrical Opposition " transform" mixtape

These guys are good!It's got an eletro pop arrangement that thumps like street in the back while SON's lyrics flow like water. You know your hot when you reference Transformers,Nickelodeon,and power rangers and still make a hard track.After giving it a thorough listen it gets spiritual on some tracks the tracks are reflection with religious tones they're good but I enjoyed more the aggressive tracks like "transform".I got a real kick on how they bring Geek references in without coming off corny. You can download the mixtape at datpiff.com

http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=m5175fe0

White Panda is fucking awesome!

Ok I'm really excited bout these guys. I'm not much of a fan of Djs since their lifespan is very limited on my radar, reserved for working out or when your on something.I like techno/dance/house/etc but you can only listen to an album for so long before you find the setup and arrangements predictable.These guys grabbed my attention real quick with the way they mash up songs that you wouldn't think of doing so.The end result is a sound that both scenesters and mainstream listeners can enjoy. If you like mainstream hiphop or like to dance you have to download the albums. These guys take familar tracks and turn them into something special and to seal the deal their album is completely free get them here at www.thewhitepanda.com

Spoon "transference "

Spoon released "transference" which is awesome ^_^ personally I feel they get better with each release. Its a nice mix of ballads ,dance, and pop music. They still retain their own sound with quick guitar jabs and synthesizers and simple drum arrangements thumping in the back but what they do is pleasant to the ears either when your chilling out or getting your dance on. My favorite track is a smooth piece called " I saw the light" I can easily picture one of the shameless burlesque girls doing what they do best to this one *wink wink* nudge nudge. Ladies if you got a an guy/girl that can appreciate classic sexy or good indie music. Do him/her a favor and play this when your showing him "the light"

The maccabees "walls of arms"

I loved the 1st album that The Maccabees came out with enjoying the energy and lyrics from the energetic "happy slap to the lovely "toothpaste kisses".This new one "walls of arms" its not my cup of tea. Its like they traded their energetic quirkiness for long orchestrated tracks and personally I don't think it paid off. ...not a single track feels memorable .To be fair they seem to be trying to evolve their sound but I really miss the energy of the previous album. I end this with an appropriately named track from the band's own album

The futureheads with " the Chaos"

This one is an old favorite band the futureheads with "the chaos" while yes I agree these bands with "the" in front of everything can be annoying at times I give these guys props cause they never have a shitty album.I hear this album and accidentally put it on repeat a lot because its so good it feels like it runs short.They have a distinctive sound with this chorus like quality, simply put they rock hard all together everyone sings and every one plays. No one hogs the spotlight and it really shines on these dudes.

The Drums "the drums"

"the drums" simple in name but interesting in sound. They come of as 80's dance pop with soft vocals and upbeat tempo with a surfer summer tude. definitely get your scenester summer dance off with these guys.They kinda feel like the Cure if they had to play like if they were happy.

Big Boi's "Sir Lucious left foot"

Today I review Big Boi's "Sir lucious left foot" for those that don't know Big Boi he's is the 2nd half of OUTKAST... oddly enough Andre 3000 features quite a bit on the album so it comes out sounding a bit like OUTKAST redheaded stepchild. Its not a bad album per-say but it just feels like it doesn't know if it wants to have that "gutter bite" of a hardcore rap album or some real pop as a dance album,so it comes with something to offer but comes out short. I found the album fun for only a few tracks the only track that stuck out was "shutterbug" which to me should have been the feel the entire album should have had.